Taiwan’s defense minister says the island is planning to boost military spending in the face of the “rapidly changing international situation and the escalating threats from adversaries.”
Wellington Koo gave no figures but said President William Lai Ching-te was working with the ministry in consideration of enemy threats and urgent readiness needs, a reference to China’s threats to invade the island, which it considers its own territory.
Those would “increase the proportion of the defense budget in relation to GDP,” Koo said, in comments Monday that were embargoed until Tuesday. Taiwan currently spends about 2.45% of its gross domestic product on its military.
“At the same time, in coordination with national security and foreign policy, the military will continue to deepen cooperation with the United States and other allied nations, expanding multilateral military exchanges to jointly uphold regional peace and stability,” Koo said.
Taiwan sees a growing threat from China, which regularly sends ships and aircraft into areas near Taiwan. China is expected to announce its annual defense budget on Wednesday.
